Can I Give My Dog Aleve?

Aleve, aka Naproxen Sodium, belongs to the NSAID class. It can relieve pain, inflammation and fever. It’s available over-the-counter for alleviating minor pains such as backaches, headaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps and even mild arthritis. Dogs also experience many of these conditions, particularly arthritis. But does this mean that Aleve can be used to help alleviate canine arthritis and other pain?

Certain pains can be very intense for dogs which leads owners to seek solutions. If Aleve can help your dog live a more normal life then it’s worth considering, right? On the contrary, you should know that this is absolutely not the case!

Some dog owners wrongly believe that Aleve is safe enough. Never presume a drug to be safe for animals just because it’s readily available. Animal experts are now saying that the Aleve brand can pose life-threatening damage to dogs. It’s true that some vets continue to prescribe Aleve for certain pains including arthritis. However, more and more are starting to view Aleve, along with some other NSAIDs, as having major side effects that can lead to fatal kidney or liver damage as well as canine stomach ulcers.

Can I Give My Dog Aleve? Answer: No, Never

The toxicity of this drug is very high in pets. Even at very low doses, it may poison them.

Sure, Aleve is very effective at reducing pain because Naproxen reduces the production of hormones that directly cause pain and inflammation in the body. So some short-term relief may be provided, but the long-term effects are potentially much worse. Be very careful when providing any Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug to a dog. This precaution includes Aleve as well as Naproxen.

A proper diagnosis for your dog is optimal but in the meantime check with your vet regarding a Prednisone prescription if chronic conditions exist.

Aleve’s Serious Side Effects

Some dogs have had gastrointestinal bleeding and liver or kidney damage caused by certain NSAIDs, including Aleve. Intestinal damage may cause your dog to vomit, stop eating and have diarrhea. Liver and kidney damage could cause your dog appear to be pale, weak, lazy and inactive. This is because of the toxin levels contained in the drug, causing even greater damage to your beloved four-legged friend.

Quite simply, the toxicity is enough to cause drug poisoning. Further, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, it’s the most common form of animal poison exposure.

Dealing with K9 Arthritis

When dogs eat a well-balanced diet they are more likely to have stronger and healthier bodies. This way, they’ll be better equipped to prevent conditions like arthritis. Also, it’s important to keep your dog active through regular exercise. Even light activities, such as a stroll in the park, will help to lubricate your dog’s joints.

If your dog already has arthritis, consult with your veterinarian and follow their instructions. Also, there are natural remedies available for treating joint-related problems. Some natural herbs, such as alfalfa and Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), are said to be effective for relieving painful arthritis and similar ailments. But in order to keep arthritis from recurring, you may need to use stronger medicines such as Rimadyl which can be prescribed by your vet.

Accidental Aleve Intake

There have been incidents when dogs have accidentally eaten some Aleve, either a single tablet or a dozen! In such cases, vomiting should usually be induced as soon as possible to prevent damaging side effects. To induce vomiting, your vet may instruct you to have your dog swallow some hydrogen peroxide.

A capful of hydrogen peroxide is usually enough for a small dog, while larger breeds may need two additional tablespoons. You may use a syringe to make it easier for you to inject it down your dog’s throat. Then, wait at least five minutes for them to vomit. Obviously, before doing any of this, you should contact your veterinarian to get their professional advice.

Conclusion on Aleve

Never provide your dog with any amount of Aleve unless specifically instructed otherwise by a trusted veterinarian. The stakes are very high and you may regret doing so which is why we are advising against it. This NSAID is one of the most dangerous for dogs.

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Great! I should have read this first. I gave my son’s 65 pound dog 2 Aleve this morning as she is in a great deal of pain. She had a hip replacement many years ago and is 15 years old. I am now praying she will be okay. Any advice?

I just found this site and it’s the best thing ever. My teacup Chihuahua, Snowflake Baby, has a fever and is coughing. I know what to give her for the coughing, but I wasn’t sure what or how much to give for the fever. I’ve heard it was okay to use any remedy that’s safe for human consumption but I’m not going to harm her due to carelessness.

Well I’m glad I looked here. I was thinking about giving my Lab an Aleve for hip dysplasia just because I have it on hand. My Lab is 12 years old and something like that would surely kill him. Thank you and I’m sorry to those of you who lost your friend and I hope your friends get better to those who are sick.

Well the sad thing is my Lab, Bud, is having a hard time even getting up. We keep him in the house all day and night. He has never been a house dog but will not use the bathroom in the house. He is the best dog ever, very smart. It’s going to kill me to have him put down but I know it’s coming sooner than I want to believe.

I am so grateful for this site. My 12 year old Golden Retriever twisted his shoulder/leg when he tripped last night and was limping. My husband told me to give him an Aleve and I almost listened to him. You just saved a dog, my precious dog. We need to get get warnings on these medications about animals and more will be saved. Thank you.

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